Billy opened his eyes. “Hello, Princess. How was your day?” Hand trembling with the effort, he offered it to Lacy. Not only was he weak, he could barely muster the strength to squeeze her hand when she placed it in his. She was shocked by how much he had declined since yesterday.
“Busy.” Steeling herself, she forced a smile to her lips. She studied his face for a moment. He looked so fragile and weak it tore at her heartstrings. Usually pale, his complexion was now yellowish-gray proving his health was failing fast. How did parents provide care for a dying child or loved one day after day? How did they watch someone’s life slip away hour by hour? It had to take a toll on their mental state. Her nerves and emotions were raw.
Dylan stood quickly and handed Lacy the book. “I think I’ll take a walk.” He kissed her on the forehead before his long strides took him from the room.
Only five chapters of the novel were unread. “Dylan must have been here for some time.”
“Over an hour.” His lips turned up at the corners. “He loves you very much to spend an hour with a dying old man.” His speech was creaky and labored. He paused to catch his breath. “Not many young men would make the effort.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze before he released it to reach up and touch her cheek. “Proves he loves you.”
She wanted to throw herself over him, beg him not to leave her. When he died, the only connection she had with Hilda would be broken. He had brought them together. He had helped her discover the secret of the falls. Hilda’s blood had been shed at the falls and it was her diary that helped her find out what happened to her. She would make his passing as peaceful as she could. She wouldn’t be selfish by crying and wailing. She would be strong when it was his time to die.
Lacy brushed back a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “He’s a great guy.”
Too tired to speak, Billy gave a gentle nod. Lacy could imagine spending the rest of her life with Dylan. Even though they were total opposites, she had a strong attraction to him. Love was a strange emotion. Sometimes it couldn’t be explained.
Billy began to snore before she had read two pages. Listening to his raged breathing had her blotting her eyes. She ran her fingers through his thin hair and for the hundredth time wished she had met him sooner. She felt cheated because he didn’t have much time left.
****
Lacy locked the door behind her when she stepped onto the porch of their apartment. The last to leave, she checked her watch and blew out an agitated breath. She was going to be late for class. She had washed what few dishes were in the sink and tidied up that morning. Now that she had farther to drive and a bigger apartment to maintain, she would have to get up half an hour earlier.
Because she had an early class, Dylan took Michelle to school on his way to work. Both had left twenty minutes earlier.
It was late by the time she dozed off to sleep last night. After making love, she should have been asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Too much plagued her mind. She still hadn’t told her family she was living with Dylan. They thought she was still in her tiny dorm located on Duke’s campus. She was such a coward. She was going to have to tell them and it should be soon. It wouldn’t do to hear the news from someone else.
A woman was walking toward her on the sidewalk. She stopped as if waiting for her. “Are you Lacy Reynolds?”
Lacy smiled and answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
She looked to be approximately fifty years old. Her hair was red, but not a natural shade of red. More like the color that came from a bottle. Wearing jeans and a black tee-shirt, she looked trim and fit. The only thing that gave away her age was the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. There was a look of sadness in her face. It looked as if life had been a burden to her, rather than a joy.
She offered her hand. Her hand felt clammy as if she might be nervous. “My name is Megan Cooper.” She hesitated as if not sure how to continue. Seconds ticked by before she explained, “The District Attorney informed me Bret Robertson might know where my daughter’s body is buried.”
The smile faded from her lips as Lacy’s good mood disintegrated. Hands trembling, she gripped her purse and the shoulder strap of her backpack that became heavier and heavier the longer she stood there. “What makes you believe it is your daughter?”
“I have done my homework. My daughter went missing on January 23rd. Chad Grey alias Tommy Ross entered spring classes at Duke University January 19th.”
Lacy tucked her free arm into Megan’s and led her toward her apartment. “Let’s go inside and I’ll fix us a cup of coffee.”
Lacy rummaged through her purse with trembling fingers until she found her key and unlocked the door. She tossed her purse and backpack on the sofa.
“Nice place.”
“Thank you.” She and Michelle still needed to hang some pictures and do a little decorating, but the apartment was pretty and comfortable. It was at least three times bigger than the dorm room she and Michelle had resided the last three years.
There was just enough coffee in the coffeemaker for one cup. She poured Megan a cup and placed it on the counter where she sat on one of the red cushioned stools. She hooked her heel over the bottom rung of the wood stool. Steam lifted from the cup. “Would you like cream or sugar?”
“No, thank you. I prefer it black.” She never took a sip from the cup. It was as if she only needed it to keep her hands busy. She held it with both hands and stared at the black liquid.
The seconds passed, which seemed like an eternity to Lacy. When she just sat there not speaking, she asked, “What was your daughter’s name?”
“Elizabeth. She was only twenty years old when she went missing. She was in her second year of college at NC State. She and a couple of friends went to a bar called The Wild Tiger one night to celebrate. One of her friends had just gotten engaged.”
Lacy knew the place. It was a local hangout for college students. “Elizabeth stepped outside to get some fresh air and was never seen again.” She opened her purse and pulled a photo from her billfold. “This is her high school graduation picture. For weeks we waited in vain for her to come home. Every night I lay in bed listening for her footsteps in the hall then dying inside when I never heard them. Then weeks turned into months and we finally realized she’d never be coming home.”
Lacy took the photo and looked at the gorgeous brunette with twinkling brown eyes. She looked like she was ready to take on the world. Someone took her life before she had even begun to live. With a sinking stomach, she handed the photo back to Megan.
Young women disappeared all the time. It didn’t mean Chad Grey had anything to do with her disappearance. Maybe she was grasping at straws. It would be terrible not knowing what happened to her.
A tear slipped over her cheek. Lacy slid off the stool and grabbed the box of tissues on the coffee table. “Thank you.” Megan pulled a tissue from the box then dabbed at her eyes. Mascara smudged at the corner of her eyes. The expression on her face was pure agony. Save for the sound of the refrigerator, the room was quiet.
Megan whispered, “I can only imagine what that animal did to her. Not knowing what happened to my daughter is killing me. The authorities checked the surveillance cameras but no one stood out as a suspect. Still, they spoke with every male that was present that night. One by one they were eliminated. The surveillance camera outside, the one that would have shown Elizabeth’s abductor, was broken.”
Lacy listened with increasing despair as Megan continued. “The horror is almost too much to bear for us. My husband and I both have suffered unspeakable grief.”
Lacy’s flesh crawled when she also began to imagine the torture and pain Elizabeth might have endured before dying. But then she wasn’t convinced Chad Grey was responsible for her disappearance. “Why have you come to see me?”
Her shoulders straightened. “The District Attorney said Bret Robertson is willing to tell you where Elizabeth’s body is buried.”
Lacy placed her hand over Megan’s
. “Bret Robertson drugged and attempted to rape me. Worse than that, he told Chad Grey to kill me so I wouldn’t be able to testify against him. Do you have any idea what you’re asking of me?”
She persisted, putting even more pressure on Lacy. “My daughter is dead and I want to give her a proper burial.” Lacy could hear the tremor in her voice. “I want to stop wondering what happened. Please talk to Robertson. Ask him where my Elizabeth is buried.”
Lacy felt like she had been punched in the gut. How could she possibly tell Megan no? For months she had been living in limbo not knowing anything about what happened to her daughter. Now she had a sliver of hope for closure. She would be the worst kind of person if she didn’t help her. She was being selfish in refusing to talk to Bret.
“Okay, Megan. I’ll speak with Bret. I’ll do everything in my power to help.”
Her face lit up. She bounded off the stool and wrapped her arms around Lacy. She felt awkward since she really didn’t know Megan.
After Megan left, Lacy poured the untouched coffee in the sink. She rinsed out the brown liquid and leaned against the counter. It wasn’t going to be easy to confront Bret. Hairs stood up on the back of her neck. The worry would only intensify her misery. She dug her phone out of her purse, punched in Dylan’s number. He wasn’t going to like what she was about to ask of him.
****
By the time Lacy arrived at the prison, she had worked herself into a state of complete panic. She had to be out of her mind. She was about to face the man that had tortured and stalked her for months. It simply defied reason. He had made her life a living hell until he was arrested. Then she thought of Megan Cooper and knew she had no other choice. She had to face her fears and Bret Robertson.
Dylan saw her pull into the parking lot and loped to her car before she even had a chance to get out. He opened the door, placed his hand on the top of her vehicle, and leaned in blocking her exit. “This idea is ludicrous, Lacy. As I told you on the phone, you are asking for more heartache. Forget this ugly business and go home.”
The color drained from her cheeks as she placed her hand on his chest and slowly slid out of the seat. She tried to placate him. “Don’t you see, Dylan? I have no other choice. Megan Cooper and her husband need to know what happened to their daughter. They need closure.”
He had been adamant on the phone that she shouldn’t agree to meet with Bret. They had a terrible argument because he was an emotional wildfire. He all but forbad her to make an appearance at the prison. For the first time in their relationship, he had not been able to sway her. It was something she had to do no matter how much she dreaded seeing Bret.
She took both his hands and squeezed. “I have to do this, Dylan. I have no other choice. Now, you can come with me or you can refuse. It is totally up to you. I would rather you were by my side.”
“I spoke with the prison’s psychologist and he agreed that you shouldn’t meet with Robertson. He said he is a narcissist who is obsessed with you. He takes advantage of others to achieve his own needs.”
“Don’t you think I know this already?” She pulled her hand away and cupped his cheek. “I didn’t schedule this meeting for my benefit. I am going to speak with Bret so the Coopers can find their daughter.”
He let out a loud sigh. “You are one stubborn woman when you set your mind to something.” He twined his fingers with hers and together they walked to the front of the prison hand in hand. Dylan showed his FBI badge and the guard opened the door. She held her head up high and fought off the panic. Sweat dripped between her shoulder blades making her even more uncomfortable.
Megan Cooper was in the hallway wringing her hands. Surprised to see her, Lacy asked, “Megan, what are you doing here?” A tall, thin man with gray hair at the temples stood behind her.
Long painted fingers brushed her arm. “Waiting for you. The District Attorney called and said I could watch from the viewing room.” She turned to the side and placed her hand on her the man’s back. “This is my husband, Donald.”
A memory surfaced. Not long after their daughter mysteriously disappeared, Lacy saw Donald Cooper on the news pleading for someone to come forth with information about the disappearance of Elizabeth. Her heart went out to him as he cried on National TV with the hope his daughter was still alive. Megan had not stood by his side. She assumed it was because she was too distraught to face the press. Rarely, did she watch TV so she heard nothing more about the disappearance. She should have put two and two together the day Megan came to her apartment. Months had passed and she had forgotten about the grieving, pain-stricken father and his missing daughter.
He took her hand engulfing it in both of his. “We appreciate you doing this, Miss Reynolds. I know we are putting you under a lot of stress. Megan explained your connection to Robertson.”
“Your wife is very persuasive.”
Fatigue and stress showed on his face. She could hear the sadness in his voice. “You have no idea what we’ve been through. Losing a child is the worst torture. We never fathomed we would out live our only daughter.”
Her heart broke into a million pieces. “I can only imagine.” Lacy tried to smile to ease the tension. Still their presence would only hinder the meeting with Bret. Being as gracious as possible, she explained, “While I am sympathetic to your situation, I’m not comfortable with you two listening to me speak with Bret. I’m nervous enough knowing how important it is I don’t make any mistakes.”
Despite her explanation, Megan replied, “Sorry, Lacy, but I want to hear him with my own ears. I need to be there. Hopefully, he’ll tell us where Elizabeth is buried. We can bring her home.”
Feeling put upon, Lacy said with a little heat in her voice, “You’re making this more difficult for me. I’d prefer Dylan be the only person present.”
Undaunted, Donald placed his arm around his wife’s shoulders. A bit of stiffness in his voice, Donald replied, “We are not leaving.”
Dylan placed his hand on her shoulder. “You can back out, Lacy. You don’t have to speak to Robertson today. You can reschedule.”
Maybe she should cancel. If she rescheduled, she could keep the next meeting a secret. The Coopers wouldn’t know she was meeting with Bret. As if reading her mind, Lacy saw the fear on Donald and Megan’s faces.
“No, we can’t go another day of not knowing.” This time Megan’s grip on Lacy’s arm was painful. It had been an emotional day not only for her but also for them. The thought of rescheduling made her feel sick. While she didn’t relish the thought of seeing Bret, she wanted to get it over with, and quickly.
She gritted her teeth together in anger before she nodded her head in consent. It looked as if she wouldn’t be able to change their minds. She waited until they were out of hearing distance before she rolled her eyes at Dylan. “Now I’m ready to freak out.”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll be with you.” He tucked his arm into hers and held her close.
The door opened and at the table sat Bret waiting for them. He smiled showing perfect white teeth. He had lost weight and the orange jumpsuit looked so out of place on him. His face was pale from lack of sunshine. He came from money and it was ironic to see him in something other than designer clothes. The former golden boy was now nothing more than a thug. She felt a sense of superiority seeing him in his new surroundings. Every time she thought of Bret now, he would not be so intimidating and powerful. She would see him behind bars where he had no control over her life.
“Lacy, it is so good to see you.” His eyes roamed over her body. “You’re looking well.”
His eyes fixed on Dylan and the smile disappeared. “You are not part of the deal. I want some privacy with Lacy.”
Just the way he said her name caused her skin to crawl. He talked as if they were old friends. The man had to be crazy.
“Not a chance in hell. I’m not leaving her alone with you.”
He stubbornly crossed his arms and the chains anchoring him to the chair rattled. “Then I have nothi
ng to say.”
“Come on, Lacy. Let’s go.” He wrapped his hand around her forearm and pulled her toward the door.
She dug in her heels. “No, Dylan. I’m not leaving until I find out where Chad Grey’s victim is buried.” She pushed at Dylan’s hand until he released her, then faced Bret. “If I stay, will you tell me where the young woman’s body is buried?”
He raised his hand as if he were a boy scout. “On my honor.”
Eyes flared with anger, Dylan snapped, “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I leave her alone with you!”
“Please excuse us for a moment.” Lacy took Dylan’s hand and tugged him toward the door, opened it, and stepped to the other side.
After she closed the door behind them, she whispered, “You can’t keep me from talking to Bret. I have to do this, and you can’t stop me.” She bit her lip to keep from crying but the tears began anyway. “My conscience will not allow me to sit back and do nothing. I have to help Megan Cooper.” She fell against him and he engulfed her in his strong arms. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you would do the same thing to help another.”
He dug his hands in her hair and held her tighter. “I love you, Lacy.”
She lifted her face and peered into his gray eyes. “I love you. Now, please let me go back in there and find out where Elizabeth is buried.”
His eyes filled with tenderness. “I’ll be on the other side of the two-way mirror watching. Just remember he can’t touch you.”
She took his hand and brought it to her wet cheek. “Thank you, Dylan.”
She watched until he disappeared around the corner. Despite her firm resolve, she was scared. Seconds ticked by while she tried to muster up her courage to face Bret alone. Wiping away all the evidence of her tears, she squared her shoulders, opened the door, and walked in as if she had a purpose. Not wasting any time, she took the chair across from him. Maybe he couldn’t touch her, but she was still intimidated. “Do you know the woman’s name Grey murdered?”
Blood of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 4) Page 4